Help Convert Closet to (small) Walk In Humidor

[SoCal gunner]

Ok, here is the scenario: I have an existing 16’x10’ room that has a closet on one end. The closet measures 68”Wx39”Dx9’H ceiling. The entry to the closet was the overlapping sliding door style (which have been removed) and measures 57”Wx80”H centered. (sketch attached). All walls/ceiling are texture coated and painted drywall. I was previously using this space as an alcove to house my old big screen tv and electronics, so I have a 110v outlet inside along the left wall at midlevel. Existing flooring is a water-resistant wood laminate with vapor barrier on slab.

Construction:
What should I attach to the walls and how? Sources for materials highly appreciated. Directly tack planks of Spanish cedar to the walls? Another product first, then a thin layer of Spanish cedar? Skip the SC for the walls altogether and use it for shelves only? Smaller details like how much spacing for expansion are welcome too (read a suggestion to butt the joints). I’m thinking of using the existing entry way, but having a door/window company come install a sliding door or maybe a couple panels of glass and a swinging door in the center.

Humidification:
I’m in the Southern California desert, so I’m going to need active humidification. The room is tied into the central HVAC unit of the house, with a supply vent on the opposite side of the room from the closet humidor. I have no plans to install a split AC unit in this room – just too small and no where to vent out to or get sufficient power. I welcome feedback/suggestions from all of you.

TL/DR: What do I line my closet with and how do I humidify it?






Room Down View.pngRoom Front View.jpg

[TreySC]

I'm no pro but I think you would want some kind of vapor barrier between the drywall and SC especially since you will be adding humidity to the room.

Just thinking out loud here I wonder if the added humidity would cause damage to an open outlet I'll try to remember to ask next time a good electrician comes in my work, unless someone here knows.

[SoCal gunner]

I'm no pro but I think you would want some kind of vapor barrier between the drywall and SC especially since you will be adding humidity to the room.

Just thinking out loud here I wonder if the added humidity would cause damage to an open outlet I'll try to remember to ask next time a good electrician comes in my work, unless someone here knows.

What do you think: tack up some plastic sheeting (?mils), tape the seams? Just found an old reddit post where they used luan sheeting for the walls to save $$. What do you think would be the best way to hang it? I want to stay away from adhesives due to off-gassing, etc. But every hole is a puncture through the vapor barrier.

Never thought about humidity and the outlet - wonder what B&M shops do?

[Emperor Zurg]

Sheesh dude. Are you a glutton for punishment or what? You narrowly missed the bullet on the last project and now you're looking to tackle another one!

If I was going to do it tho, I'd think 'shower stall'. I bet those sheets like they use in a campground shower woukd block moisture like crazy. I wouldn't use those stupid plastic rivets to hold it up tho. I'd attach it with stainless screws with rubber washers under the heads. You could caulk the edges with siliccone sealant.

[SoCal gunner]

Sheesh dude. Are you a glutton for punishment or what? You narrowly missed the bullet on the last project and now you're looking to tackle another one!

If I was going to do it tho, I'd think 'shower stall'. I bet those sheets like they use in a campground shower woukd block moisture like crazy. I wouldn't use those stupid plastic rivets to hold it up tho. I'd attach it with stainless screws with rubber washers under the heads. You could caulk the edges with siliccone sealant.

Yeah, I keep wondering if the Doctor called my wife and said I was dying or something?

[AlanS]

Put in a good quality gfi outlet with the hinged covers, like exterior grade you’d use for a patio
Think if you lower the ceiling would cut down the amount of humidification required

[Drez]

Might be a good idea to visit any high quality B&M you have in the area and have a discussion with the owner if possible. Ask some advice for construction of humidors on a larger scale. If he is knowledgeable, he may be able to give some advice someone may not think of. I have one person in a discord that has a home built walk in. I'll see if I can get some tips from him next time I see him around.

For one, what type of dry wall is preinstalled in the room? Is it mold resistant? If not, you're really going to have to figure out a good way to completely seal the interior from being able to push too much constant moisture into the drywall localized in there behind everything.
It also depends on what type of shelving you want. I wouldn't really think you need the ENTIRE room made of spanish cedar. You could easily just do shelves made of it. Probably a somewhat easier and cheaper route, also, would be to moisture seal the room with whatever insulation you choose and some moisture proof/resistant paneling for appearance sake. Then do your shelving, and just store in boxes on the shelving systems. You could also get some of the premade shelving made for wine coolers to store singles/bundles or other non-boxed purchases.

The only reason I suggestion this route is the B&M most local to me has their humidor set up this way. All glass sided, and pretty free of spanish cedar - except for the cigar boxes all within. It isn't a large store, nor a large humidor. It may actually be pretty close to the size you've shown dimensions for.Even with some loss, a humidifer of this size should cover such a space, and it - in terms of what you're looking to do - doesn't break the bank.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/AIRCARE-...1407/205446600

That part is actually probably one of the easiest solutions to what you're looking to do. Also! Be sure to use all weather or marine grade metal in any instances you can. Screws, nails. Coated racks/shelving supports etc. Keeps them from rusting and bleeding into the wood. As for the electric.. I think mostly just have the sockets checked and make sure they are grounded. The humidity is higher, yes..but not so high that I think it will cause a real problem? There are plenty of places that run humidity in the 70+ range on a regular basis parts of the year. Our sockets have no problems with that relative humidity...I'd invest in a pretty good quality surge protector, though, to plug in whatever humidity system you do end up with... I wouldn't completely "seal off" the door. Unless you are going to open it daily to allow some air exchange, you want some fresh air able to circulate in and out. The humidifer should be able to make up for this without any problem caused to the cigars stored.

[TreySC]

What do you think: tack up some plastic sheeting (?mils), tape the seams? Just found an old reddit post where they used luan sheeting for the walls to save $$. What do you think would be the best way to hang it? I want to stay away from adhesives do to off-gassing, etc. But every hole is a puncture through the vapor barrier.

Never thought about humidity and the outlet - wonder what B&M shops do?

That's kind of what I was thinking like how you do a floating floor on concrete. You can always paint the walls with flex seal

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[Tombstone]

When I do one I think I would line the walls and ceiling in either tongue and groove boards or there is a similar plywood like product home depot sells. I think it is M11? Not positive the name off the top of my head. Either should hold up to moisture well. I think you should be able to hit the wall with a good sealer like drylock and just nail or screw into the studs. I would think that some of that wire shelving would work fine or if you got skills just make up some nice hardwood shelves. I think you also want somebcirculation fans. Maybe a small dict down low with an inline fan that moves it up to the ceiling and exhausts. Keep the moisture moving and stabilized. Some of the room humidifiers have a humidity sensor and I think that with the air movement would get the job done.

[josh lucky 13]

I think you definitely want a barrier between existing walls and new wood. Don't forget ceiling and floors your not trying to humidify the whole house. Now spanish cedar is great for a humidor but its expensive. Now spanish cedar is in the same family as mahogany but doubt that's any cheaper. Other options are cherry, walnut, maple, oak. IActive humification will have to be used but I would also suggest fans for airflow and maybe other media beads or kitty litter. The more you have in there the better to help hold the humidity.
For the electric I would add an outlet. Same outlets they use in bathroom will work in there. I would want a light on a switch and as I mentioned earlier led stripe lights on the bottom of the shelves to be able to see everything. Etched glass door and maybe consider a small built in in the center with drawers for singles.